Class of 2022 Rankings Update: The Newcomers, Part I

The rankings are back in action in action across the Dakotas. Over the next two weeks, we will put our final words on paper about the Class of 2022 and hopefully drive more exposure to some of the still unsigned prospects where we have grinded the tape and found that they are next-level material. For now, we will start with the newcomers to our Class of 2022 rankings. We expanded our list from 215 to 325 prospects, so there will be plenty of parts that we cover our newcomers over the coming weeks. We take a look at the first 10 prospects out the gates that were impressive in their senior seasons and were more than deserving of a spot in our Class of 2022 rankings! [player_tooltip player_id="271193" first="Amari" last="Gilmore"] | RB | Beulah (ND) Amari is a durable 6’0 220 pound running back that cracked our Class of 2022 rankings after a stellar senior season where he racked over 1200 rushing yards on 7.5 yards per carry. He was an absolute bull on the inside running the football all year and could eat up lanes with just a little space. I have said it before about Amari, I would hate to be on the receiving end of his high contact running ability as you will end up on the turf. Do not think for a second that Amari has all that size without having solid footwork as well. He’s rushing stance is build low to the ground and I believe he will be an excellent third down back in college. The Dickinson State Blue Hawks made a very smart move by keeping this kid in state, as he projected as a fringe Division II prospect in my eyes due to his physicality and everything I listed above. Amari comes into our rankings at #67. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl6FG3Ucw4o">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271195" first="Blue" last="Kellogg"] | RB | Turtle Mountain (ND) Blue got his junior season swiped away from him due to the pandemic, but put together a good senior season to make up for it. He shows good footwork between the tackles and as far as my eyes can see, there is more development there this offseason if he wants it. Blue is a capable pass-catcher that can line up outside and run some solid routes especially within 10-15 yards. He also shows a good burst between the tackles that yet again, has more juice left in the tank. Not the biggest tailback at 5’9 175, but a lot to like about his speed. Blue would make a really solid small school or JUCO prospect at the next level. He hit the rankings just outside the top 200. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAdbR">Sr Tape</a> Asmerom Mahammad | DB | Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD) Asmerom might be one of the most slept on defensive backs in South Dakota. You want a high vertical? You get that with Asmerom big time, as he made one of the most impressive interceptions I watched this year in the Midwest (look at 42 seconds on tape). He shows off some very instinctive footwork that looks like a natural athlete should look. He has a big motor when it comes to changing directions and has a lot of speed in his lower body. Asmerom also comes with a strong batch of physicality and uses great technique as far as contact level when connecting with a wide receiver. I love the grit he plays with when he lines up in press-man as he has a demeanor against a bigger wide receiver that you just want to keep your eyes on the entire play. Asmerom plays with also excellent stamina, as on multiple occasions on film, you see his strong longevity come out. I also think he can be a reliable kickoff return man in college. College Coaches, don’t look now but we have this young man graded as a Division II prospect and just holds ones NAIA offer at the moment. Asmerom should be due for more this winter for sure. Checks into our rankings in the mid 50s. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GBuFm">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271472" first="Jackson" last="Olsen"] | Kicker | Platte-Geddes (SD) Yes, we certainly added more specialists this time around on our latest Class of 2022 rankings included [player_tooltip player_id="271472" first="Jackson" last="Olsen"] of the Platte-Geddes Black Panthers. In the multiple clips I watched of Jackson’s kicking, I enjoy watching his kicking motion the most, as I believe he has a trainable leg that could get better at the next level. He will need to develop more hangtime on his field goals, but he has the distance to kick at the next level just inside 50 yards. Jackson comes into our rankings as the #4 kicker in the Dakotas as he also showed some solid leg strength in the state championship game this season. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GWGeE">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271407" first="Alex" last="Haeffner"] | Offensive Line | Sioux Falls Washington (SD) Sioux Falls Washington has one of the top lines on both sides of the ball in 11AAA, but there is one prospect that is getting slept under the rug from their offensive line by the name of [player_tooltip player_id="271407" first="Alex" last="Haeffner"]. Alex stands a whopping 6’4 315 pounds and has active feet that show he can get out of his stance quick and become a deadly lead blocker for his backfield. Alex does a solid job at punching his man off angle of the opposite direction of the ball carrier and lands consistent strikes throughout his film as a blocker that can multi engage if needed. Alex is a blocker that can get to that second level and continue his striking rhythm. I think the biggest development Alex can work on this offseason is his physicality in his punches. Although he can cover a zone and land good punches, I think there is more physicality in that punching arsenal of his. Just one NAIA offer but should get more opportunities this winter. Cracks our rankings inside the top 75, as more college coaches should be all over this young man’s measurables and solid talent. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GC6DP">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271076" first="Jack" last="Hemmen"] | Defensive Line | Elkton-Lake Benton (SD) Jack should have cracked our rankings during the last update, but super glad to have this young man on here now. He can pack & go solid contact and with a good connecting area on the defender. Jack sheds off contact very well and shows great instincts on reading with his vision the best lanes to utilize when going to the ball. I think Jack can develop a stronger burst off the ball, but I love this kid’s size already at 6’2 250 as he has committed to Dakota State to play football next year in Madison. He also has some range and covered good length of a 9-man field at a solid level. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2G7fD0">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271180" first="Devin" last="Heinze"] | Offensive Line | Westhope-Newburg (ND) One thing that matches up on both sides of the football, is this kid can get hella leverage with a quick jump off the snap. Devin does a solid job using his violent hands to connect early with the defender giving him a clear-cut advantage on winning the fight in the trenches. He shows a solid bend at the waste and gets a better stance than the bulk of the others on his offensive line that do not have the measurables and physicality Devin brings. I also love how this kid has finishing capabilities and I hope to see more as I watch more of his film tonight. He does show to very little getting a higher pad level than preferred, but that is rather seldom from what I watched. I think the University of Jamestown Jimmies uncovered a hidden gem from Westhope-Newburg that should have a solid career at the next level with his persuasive punching ability. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FgqjT">Tape vs. Langdon Area</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271474" first="Jaden" last="Schmidt"] | Long Snapper | Tea Area (SD) If you blink watching Tea Area’s [player_tooltip player_id="271474" first="Jaden" last="Schmidt"]’s long snapping highlight tape, you might miss the best part: how fast this kid gets off out of his stance and books it to the football. To be honest it took me three times thru his film the first time to identify just how fast he gets the ball out and is always the first man to the football. He can develop more zip out of his snap with less air, but man watching this young man just hammer the pedal to the floor all the way down the field was just super eye-opening to me. Another great thing? This is not the only position he can gun it on, as he brings the same juice to working special teams and even showed some great physicality on his tackles despite his measurables not being ideal on a much bigger kickoff returner. [player_tooltip player_id="271474" first="Jaden" last="Schmidt"] is a the definition of a workhorse in spots that do not always get recognized by the papers, etc. but we certainly recognize what this young man brings to the table for the Tea Area Titans. Has a few track and fields offers at the moment, and light football interest from one East Coast school. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GNh5G">Sr Tape</a> A Few More Newcomers [player_tooltip player_id="271266" first="Trin" last="Schumacher"] | Running Back | Beach (ND) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2G2Z6v">Sr Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="271505" first="James" last="Leffring"] | Quarterback | Baltic (SD) <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Gc5Kg">Sr Tape</a> To be continued!